5 Filipino Movies Fil-Am Zoomers Need To Watch Before Making Judgements 2024
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When One Down released a video of young Filipino-Americans criticizing Filipino movies, it outraged Filipino directors and lovers of Filipino films, especially academicians. The critique was oversimplified and lacked nuance and an understanding of the Filipino movie industry, its current state, and the times it moved in. However, its greatest sins are missing out on good Filipino movies and talking over Filipino creatives.
Filipino cinema has never been in a better state of creativity, especially with more animation work becoming more common and more diverse creative voices (LGBTQIA+ and women) showcasing their work.
We’ve compiled a mixture of old and newer Filipino movies that these Fil-American youngsters miss out on!
Third World Romance
Third World Romance is a realistic but beautiful love letter to the working-class everyday Filipino. It features real-life, now-married couple Charlie Dizon and Carlo Aquino as an idealistic cashier, Britney, and an easygoing grocery bagger, Alvin, during the pandemic.
The movie explores the risks and struggles that ordinary people have to take to make a living. For ordinary Filipinos, making bets on bingo and online slots is an additional but tiny chance to obtain extra money, even if it might be a recreational activity. This is because ordinary working Filipinos need more security and financial safety nets to provide themselves and their families with a stable living.
Thus, the movie’s thesis is that “to be a normal Filipino citizen is difficult.” We see this in the harshness of Alvin’s commute and Britney’s dedication to working despite her line of work being severely underpaid.
It also tackles redefining what it is to be a modern family without sensationalizing or being didactic. Alvin’s biological father is a transfem woman, and his stepdad is into drag, while his younger brother is gay.
The storytelling is not dull or overly didactic. The characters’ struggles are profoundly relatable and refreshing because they mirror Filipinos’ everyday struggles and experiences, from working hard to provide for themselves and their families to workplace politics and the stress of the Metro Manila commute.
Manila in The Claws of Light
Manila In The Claws of Light is a sophisticated political allegory with ethical and emotional sophistication. It feels intimate but archetypal. This movie, produced in the 1970s, follows Julio, a man from Marinduque, on a quest to find his sweetheart.
Despite being shortchanged by the Marcos regime, he struggles to survive and encounters the best and worst of humanity. Based on Edgardo Reyes’s novel, his journey is documented through Mike de Leon’s restrained lenses and Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr.’s pen.
The editing is steady, and so is the pace, with a stellar cast. Bembol Roco’s performance is imbued with intelligence and depth, while Hilda Koronel steals the few scenes she is in, although she is underutilized. This work is one of the beloved works of Lino Brocka, who inspired Parasite director Bong Joon Ho and Martin Scorcese.
On The Job
Daniel (Gerald Anderson) and Mario (Joel Torre) work as hitmen despite being convicts; a powerful syndicate hires them. Mario grooms Daniel to be his apprentice and heir. After a bungled job, NBI lawyer Francis Coronel Jr. (Piolo Pascual) and honest policeman PO1 Joaquin Acosta (Joey Marquez) track the wide dark circle of this powerful syndicate even if it means ruffling the feathers of those closest to them.
The script by Michiko Yamamoto is fraught with conflict. Coronel is married to a lawmaker’s daughter (Michael de Mesa), and her father is a pawn in this web of crime. The film’s charm lies in all these mainstream actors playing against type and excelling at it.
This gritty movie was fun and great in many ways, but it also reflects the corruption and darkness associated with the Filipino status quo.
Moral
For the budding feminist, Moral employs the skillful usage of Ricky Lee’s pen and the masterful direction of Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It follows four different women during the Marcos regime trying to enjoy life despite the societal problems they encounter as women – Joey trying to find rebellion but loves a political activist who she cannot have, Sylvia as a teacher
struggling with a husband who has a dancer male lover, Kathy trying to fulfill her dreams as a singer but has to do messy things to achieve her dreams, and of course, lastly, Maritess, whose agency is robbed from her as she is boxed by the role of mother and caregiver to her family.
Taboo topics such as queerness, abortion, postpartum depression, marital rape, activism, etc. are discussed. The setting is when old values change, mainly due to the political situation.
The distinctive characters helped make the film dynamic, challenging the typical story structure and leaving the characters’ ultimate fate unknown. In addition, it also launched Lorna Tolentino’s career, as she was previously known for being a sexy actress.
Heneral Luna
This blockbuster independent film was one of the most watched and remained highly rated due to the theatrical script and relatable language used. Directed by Jerrold Tarog and based on various historical documents, Heneral Luna was John Arcilla’s breakthrough role, which left many moviegoers clapping at the end. The acting is masterful, and the movie does not take itself too seriously with the comedic bits.
It documents Luna’s struggles to fight against American colonization and takeover despite the many factors actively working against him.
Wrapping Up
The Philippines boasts many great movies. The movies featured here do not even cover all of its outstanding productions—with special mentions to Iti Mapukpukaw, Liway, Ploning, Oda Sa Wala, and others. However, these are a great start if you want to enjoy great Filipino cinema. They’re an opportunity to enjoy and enlighten yourself about the real struggles in the Motherland.